Power-Up Your Writing: Video Game-Themed Essay ELA Class
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. After every class, there will be a homework assignment. Students will need to complete the assignment before the following class.Certificate of Completion
After the class is over, students will receive a certificate of completion for becoming an essay master!Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
🎮𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫!✍️ Unlock your child's creativity Each week, students will tackle a new type of essay—narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository—using their favorite games as inspiration. From crafting epic gaming adventures to writing step-by-step guides, this class encourages creative thinking, clear organization, and confident communication. ✨𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬✨ 🎮Fun and Engaging Classes: By exploring the stories behind their favorite games, learners develop writing skills without feeling like they’re "working." 🧩Critical Thinking: Learners will analyze complex plots, create unique characters, and understand how great narrative writing works. 💡Essential Writing Skills: This class is fun and approachable, but students will learn real essay writing skills they can apply for the rest of their education. 🎯Skill-Based Writing Development: Learners will practice logical thinking and different essay structures without even realizing it because they will think we're just talking about video games. 🎨A Creative Outlet : Writing becomes a way for learners to express ideas, explore world-building, and develop their imagination. ✨𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞✨ 1) Master essential essay writing skills 2) Learn story structure, plot development, and character creation 3) Explore video game storytelling and create their own stories inspired by games 4) Learn to organize their ideas and practice editing and revising ✨𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬?✨ •Kids who love video games and want to improve their writing skills •Gamers ready to turn their creativity into amazing essays •Students who want to develop their logical and critical thinking skills This interactive writing class transforms video game lovers into lifelong writers, turning their passion for gaming into stories filled with creativity, imagination, and confidence. Whether it’s through plot development, character creation, or world-building, your learner will leave this course inspired and ready to write! 📆𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞📆 We will meet once per week for 45 minutes in each class. The beginning of class will be a quick chat and a five to ten minute writing warmup prompt to chase away those creative cobwebs. Students will be invited to share their writing with the class. We will then dive into that day's lesson. At the end of the lesson, I will assign the homework and the students have until the next class to submit their assignment in the classroom. If we have extra time, we will have free write time for students to get a head start on their writing assignment. All assignments that are turned in on time will be read and reviewed by me. I will provide my feedback and return it back to them.
Learning Goals
Develop Writing Skills Across Multiple Styles:
Students will learn to write narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository essays, mastering the structure and techniques for each style.
Enhance Creativity and Critical Thinking:
By using video game themes as inspiration, students will practice brainstorming, organizing ideas, and thinking critically to craft engaging and well-structured essays.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
My Epic Gaming Adventure - Narrative Essay
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝
1) Discuss elements of a narrative
2) Explore how video games tell stories
-3) Brainstorm a story idea using a favorite game as inspiration
Activity: Create a "game map" of your story's setting to guide your writing
Homework: Write the first draft of your narrative essay
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Inside My Dream Game - Descriptive Essay
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞
1) Focus on descriptive writing
2) Analyze vivid descriptions in video game reviews and trailers
3) Plan our your essay by describing the game world
Activity: Draw a scene or character from your dream game to inspire detailed writing
Homework: Write a descriptive essay draft based on your dream game
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Ultimate Gaming Debate - Persuasive Essay
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬
1) Discuss persuasive techniques
2) Explore examples of good persuasive writing topics
3) Choose a topic related to video games
Activity: Create a Power-Up Argument Map to outline your points and evidence
Homework: Write your persuasive essay
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
How to Beat the Boss Level - Expository Essay
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞
1) Introduce the structure of an expository essay
2) Discuss how-to guides and tutorials
3) Plan your essay by choosing a specific game and a skill to explain
Activity: Create a step-by-step "cheat sheet" as a prewriting tool
Homework: Write your expository essay draft
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is not specifically designed for students with ADHD, Dyslexia or ASD. However, Miss Devyn has years of experience making my classes accessible for all students. I meet my students where they are and help them rise from there.
Pre-Requisites
No pre-requisites are required for this course.
Supply List
Pencil Paper Brain
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 teachers have teaching certificates
New Jersey Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
5 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from University of Calgary
Bachelor's Degree in English from Brigham Young University - Idaho
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree in English from Brigham Young University - Idaho
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Miami University
1 teacher has an Associate's degree
Associate's Degree from Elgin Community College
Associate's Degree from College of Dupage
Miss Devyn received her bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University - Idaho in 2012. She has taught ESL (English as a Second Language) and writing courses for the last 8 years. She was also featured on the Kelly Clarkson show where she spoke about how valuable video games and community are for children.
For much longer than 8 years, Miss Devyn has loved and played video games of all types. This makes her uniquely qualified to read and comment on your learner's creative writing and meet your child where they are in their gaming world as well as their writing world.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$29
weekly or $116 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
2-10 learners per class